Childhood renal disorders in Ilorin, north central Nigeria.

Aims And Objectives: To determine the pattern of renal disorders seen at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital located in the North Central region of Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: The renal register of the Paediatric Nephrology Unit of the Hospital was analysed for children seen in the last thirteen years (January 1995-December 2008).

Results: A total number of 164 children were seen during the study period. Nephrotic syndrome was the leading renal disorder accounting for 69 (42.1%) cases. This was followed by acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) which occurred in 47 (28.7%) children. There were also 19 cases of acute renal failure (ARF). Sepsis was the leading cause 7(36.8%) followed by diarrhea related illness 5 (26.3%). Eleven deaths were recorded among the ARF cases giving a case fatality of 57.9%.

Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome and acute glomerulonephritis are the leading renal disorders in children in our center. The few cases of ARF seen, recorded attendant high mortality because of inadequate access to dialysis.